The Football Association admit they are 'very keen to explore' goal-line
technology after the failure of officials to award David Healy a late equaliser
during Fulham's defeat by Middlesbrough.

Healy appeared to have rescued a point when Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer failed
to hold the striker's injury-time shot with replays showing the ball had clearly
crossed the line.

However, referee Andy D'Urso and linesman Ian Gosling refused to award the
effort which left Cottagers boss Lawrie Sanchez furious as the home side went
down to a 2-1 defeat.

There was a similar incident in the game involving Southampton and Norwich
with Saints boss George Burley convinced that Andrew Surman's shot, which was
fumbled by David Marshall, had crossed the line when the City keeper finally got
his hands on the ball.

The Saints were leading 1-0 at the time but eventually went down to a 2-1
defeat and led Burley to call for technology in such instances.

Now the FA claim they are keen to explore the full implications of introducing
technology.

A spokesman said: 'We understand the debate around goal-line technology and
it's always going to be an important talking point after these incidents.

'FIFA rules clearly state that a referee must take decisions based on what he
sees on the field of play and cannot refer to video replays at any time during
the game.

'However, there have been experiments with goal-line technology which sends
an instant signal to the referee telling him whether the ball is over the line,
without using video replays, and there is currently a trial going on at
Reading.

'It would need FIFA's approval before it could be introduced more widely but
it is something we are very keen to explore fully.'